LOS ANGELES – When UCLA’s Dominique Johnson made the highlight-reel, one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone at USC, in a flash, Johnson’s talent was visible to everyone.

That play showcased the best of Johnson, but also brought to light a bigger question: Why couldn’t he play that way all the time?

So one-by-one, first-year Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel, offensive coordinator Norm Chow, receivers coach Reggie Moore and a few former Bruins went to Johnson in an effort to excite him into being a bigger factor in the offense. They tried to show Johnson that he needed to give a consistently better effort.

“They just ride me and ride me and ride me,” said Johnson, a sophomore. “They never let me relax out here. It used to be a habit of mine to do just enough to get the coaches to not say anything to me. (This staff) has kind of instilled in me that that’s not going to help me in the long run.

“I can be the best in the nation, and in order to achieve that, I have to come out here and work harder than anybody and come out here and keep grinding it out, even when I don’t feel like it.”

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Johnson had 25 catches last season. He opened 2008 with four receptions against Tennessee and now must help pick up the slack in production and leadership, with senior Marcus Everett (dislocated toe) out 3-4 weeks.

“I’ve always been real laid back,” Johnson said. “Even in high school, nobody ever really pushed me to my limits. It began as a little bit of a habit, and it carried into my career here.

“I’ve improved a lot, and I think it’s going to continue to help me.

“I have to continue doing everything hard – running hard, and always going hard – and it will help me in a game. When I go out there in a game, I don’t find myself winded anymore. I feel like I can keep going, and the game is slower than practice out there.”

KETCHUM NEAR RETURN

Junior receiver Gavin Ketchum (mononucleosis) missed the opener, but did full conditioning drills the past two days and is hopeful of returning for next Saturday’s game at No. 15 BYU.

“They were projecting me (out) for three weeks, and that would be the third week,” Ketchum said. “I’ve always come back early from being injured. They give me a date and I beat that by a week or so.”

Ketchum, who weighs 204 pounds, said weight loss and strength were not issues.

“Basically, an enlarged spleen and energy level is why they were holding me out,” Ketchum said. “I’m feeling good. I had a beast of a workout (Thursday), and I’m feeling good.”

ROSARIO UPDATE

UCLA receiver Nelson Rosario sat out practice with, according to an MRI result, a mild sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, but it is anticipated he will be ready for BYU.